The Dogs Trust’s property director, Matthew Taylor, says a pilot scheme pulling together initiatives started over the past decade is being developed now.

Construction is expected to start later this summer in phases, as the Roden, near to Telford, based centre will be home to dogs throughout the process.

The 96 kennel site is one of the biggest the charity runs and, as a result, also one of the most expensive.

Mr Taylor said: “Our experience is not with green building design it is dogs, we are experts at looking after dogs.

“So we bought in consultants Inbuilt to help and we’re developing ideas like an airtight flap to give the dogs access from their sleeping areas to the outside.

“This means we won’t be paying for heat to just pour out of the current access used by the dogs.”

Obviously, Mr Taylor admits the flaps won’t be ‘100%’ airtight but along with rainwater harvesting for cleaning the kennels, a biomass boiler, improved insulation and photovoltaic panels the improvements should slash the charity emissions.

“We spend around £500,000 on heating and lighting as we have our buildings occupied 24 hours a day all year round.

“But over the past ten years we’ve slowly been adding ideas and we’ll be bringing it all together at Roden.”

Luke Walsh

Action inspires action. Stay ahead of the curve with sustainability and energy newsletters from edie

Subscribe